Gu Hongrui heard this and didnât speak for a long time, his brow furrowed in deep thought.
Liang Yifang quickly added fuel to the fire, "Cousinâs family is big and powerful. They donât care about such small matters, and we canât compare ourselves with them. After all, youâre just getting by on a salary."
Upon hearing this, Gu Hongrui looked up and glared at Liang Yifang, "Liang Yifang, remember your place. If Cousin hadnât taken us in back then, where would our current life be?"
Liang Yifang knew that Gu Hongrui wouldnât be easily persuaded, so she quickly found an excuse, "Of course, Iâm grateful for the help back then. But over all these years, youâve been dedicated to your work. Even if Cousin and Wanqing find out about this, they wonât really hold it against you."
Gu Hongrui waved her away, "Go on with your tasks, and let me think it over carefully."
Liang Yifang realized that saying more would be useless and that it would be better for him to think it through himself. So she turned and left.
*
On the other side, Han Jingchen and Gu Wanqing had gone through a lot of trouble in Sanyuan City to finally find a few of the elderly people who had followed Old Master Gu back in the day.
However, they didnât find any useful leads.
The only thing confirmed was that Old Master Gu was indeed chased after back then, and the last place he appeared was the Mechanical Factory where Xinyan used to be.
It was said that the small white building at the factory was where Old Master Gu stayed every time he came, and later it became the office space for several departments in the factory.
They also found out that the small white building had been completely renovated last year, and whether this was a mere coincidence or someoneâs secret maneuvering remains to be investigated further.
After another long day, upon returning to their lodging, "Jingchen, weâve been out for quite a while, and it seems like we wonât find anything in the short term. Letâs head back to the Capital for now, so as not to delay your work any longer."
Han Jingchen held her in his arms, "This is not something that can be rushed. Donât worry, Iâve already arranged for people to investigate."
Gu Wanqing leaned in Han Jingchenâs embrace, "I know that after so many years, finding out the truth wonât be easy."
She sighed, "However, this matter must be thoroughly investigated. Otherwise, it wonât just affect us. Yanyan might also find no peace in the future."
Han Jingchen had a thought, "Iâm considering bringing Mom and Dad back first. Two heads are better than one, and they have experienced more than we have. Now that traveling is possible, I donât feel at ease leaving them there."
Gu Wanqing gave a soft âhmâ, "I wonder if Second Brother is still alive."
Han Jingchen knew the pressure Gu Wanqing was under and reassured her, "Second Brother is blessed and will surely be okay. Perhaps one day weâll find him. No matter what you decide to do, Iâll be by your side."
Gu Wanqingâs eyes reddened. Their once happy family was ruined because of those peopleâs greed. Big Brother was gone, Second Brother disappeared, and she had been forced to be apart from her husband and daughter for so many years. How could she not harbor hatred?
If it werenât for Mom and Dadâs prior arrangements back then, they probably wouldnât have been able to escape, and the whole family would have been caught up in it.
Seeing that she had calmed down, Han Jingchen gently spoke, "Are you hungry?"
Gu Wanqing, feeling a bit better, was asked this question, and her stomach responded with a loud âgurgleâ.
The two exchanged glances, and Gu Wanqing felt a bit embarrassed, "Letâs go, fill our stomachs first."
But just as their food was served, Gu Wanqing suddenly had a reaction. Unable to hold back, she stood up and rushed out.
This startled Han Jingchen, who hurriedly followed her, "Wanqing, whatâs wrong?"